All posts tagged Bryan Cranston

Ever since sending Walter White on a permanent trip to Belize in last year’s “Breaking Bad” finale, Bryan Cranston has slipped into LBJ’s extended earlobes, a seedy pawn-shop-owner’s pornstache and major-league baseball’s coveted uniforms all for the sake of his art. But none of these roles have come as close to his Emmy Award-winning performances as a lethal New Mexico meth cook than his audio book portrayal of an exasperated father begging his child to eat.

Like Samuel L. Jackson, who narrated the bedtime-reading sensation “Go the F— to Sleep,” Cranston hardly treads lightly during his recitation of “You Have to F—ing Eat,” Adam Mansbach‘s latest contribution to the profanity-laced children’s book oeuvre. Read More »

Emmy Award-winning actor and “Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul followed in his co-star Bryan Cranston‘s footsteps yesterday when he took to Twitter to voice his own dismay over Toys ‘R’ Us‘ decision to pull a line of ‘Breaking Bad’ action figures from its stores’ shelves.

In a series of thought-provoking tweets, Paul called out the toy mega-retailer for its arguably hypocritical choices, raising the question of what is more damaging to children, an action figure with a “bag of meth” accessory, or a historically popular doll criticized for placing pressure on girls to achieve unrealistic physical standards: Read More »

There was a time when the best door prize an audience member could hope for from Jimmy Fallon was a carpet sample or getting Bryan Cranston to massage greasepaint into your hair. But since taking over “The Tonight Show” earlier this year, Fallon has upped his game: Last night, one lucky spectator walked out of Studio 6B with a customized voicemail message from Sting.

The rock superstar/composer was on hand to promote his latest project “The Last Ship,” which opens on Broadway October 26. Fallon, however, felt Sting’s talents would be best put to use by turning him into a human iPhone. Read More »

If you’ve already established yourself as a viable comedic presence onscreen, then chances are you’ll be asked to participate in the recurring “Tonight Show” sketch “Word Sneak.” The premise is for the guest and host Jimmy Fallon to casually work in five random, off-kilter terms to the conversation.

It’s not an easy feat, as previous participants Bryan Cranston, Ricky Gervais and Chris Pratt – masters of comedic prowess in their own right – have demonstrated. While in town to promote “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” Steve Carell was the latest funnyman to accept the challenge, and he passed with flying colors: Carell seamlessly flowed the word “pantaloons” (as well as the French version “pantalon”) into a discussion about a family camping trip and slipped in nostalgia for “fluffernutter” sandwiches during a mundane exchange about watching TV as a kid. Read More »

AMC released a new teaser from the coming show “Better Call Saul,” which is a prequel to “Breaking Bad.” The 10-second clip, called “Amen,” includes a line suggesting Saul, played by Bob Odenkirk, has at least a few pious bones in his body.

The series, which is scheduled to begin early next year, is set before Saul began working with crystal meth kings Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul). Also returning with Odenkirk is Jonathan Banks as fixer and hired heavy Mike Erhmantraut. Read More »

Everyone loves award-winning actor Bryan Cranston for his work in “Breaking Bad” but portraying meth-king Walter White was not in fact the hardest thing he’s ever done. In a new five-minute mocumentary promoting TBS’ post-season coverage of the Major League Baseball playoffs, Cranston takes a swing at a new type of one-man show.

“I felt it was time for me to get back to the basics by diving into my great passion: baseball,” he deadpans. “It would be my greatest acting challenge.” Read More »

“Breaking Bad” claimed multiple crowns Monday night at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, marking a final coronation for the influential cable drama that ended its five-season run last year.

For the second year in a row, the AMC series about an unlikely meth mastermind took home the award for outstanding drama series. The show’s Emmy haul also included wins for stars Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn, along with writer Moira Walley-Beckett. The accumulated trophies vindicated fans and critics who have long described “Breaking Bad” as one of the best TV dramas ever made.

“Thank you so much for this wonderful farewell to our show,” said series creator Vince Gilligan as he accepted the genre’s top award. Read More »

But it’s a tight race in categories beyond outstanding drama and comedy. Will Matthew McConaughey win his first Emmy, for “True Detective,” in the same year he won an Oscar, or will he be stopped by Bryan Cranston? Can Netflix steal thunder from cable giants such HBO, AMC and Showtime? Is Kerry Washington making history tonight by becoming the first African-American woman to win lead actress in a drama, for “Scandal”?

Speakeasy is live blogging the event with a team of reporters, so please join us live and leave your thoughts in the comments.

For those missing the meth-cooking wizardry of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, Aaron Paul is concocting quite a treat.

This Monday, before the Emmy’s get underway, Paul is hosting a “Breaking Bad” scavenger hunt in the Hollywood area, with a host of goodies strategically plotted around town. In a photo posted to Paul’s Instagram last night, he promised signed “Breaking Bad” scripts, posters, action figures and art. There’s no other clues as to where things might be stashed – but fans should pay close attention to Paul’s Twitter for potential clues. Read More »

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Speakeasy is a blog covering media, entertainment, celebrity and the arts. The publication is produced by Barbara Chai and Jonathan Welsh with contributions from the Wall Street Journal staff and others. Write to us at speakeasy@wsj.com or follow us on Twitter at @WSJSpeakeasy or individually @barbarachai.